I started this blog on August 31, 2010, but got interupted and never went back to it. It is a little late, but here it is!
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One year ago today, I sat on the couch, chowing down on a ridiculous quantity of kettle corn and trying to shake off the effects of the amnesia-producing drug given to me by my gastroentrologist. (The drug had, by the way, given me a serious case of the munchies.) One year ago today, I had an endoscopy and was diagnosed with Celiac Disease.
It has been quite the journey. I have been deeply humbled by the effort those I love have put into accomodating my food needs. My hubby has very graciously made our house a (mainly) gluten-free home-- a bunker in the minefield that is the gluten-laden food of American society. My friends (especially two) have gotten creative, trying and inventing new recipes. My brother and my co-workers have all amazed me with the effort they will go to make things that I can eat.
More than anything, though, my diagnosis has gotten me back into the kitchen. I never stopped cooking--nor did I ever stop loving to cook--but my growth as a creative cook stalled out for a few years. I let life get the in way and then laziness set in. My Celiac diagnosis helped to rekindle my desire to create, to craft new dishes, to cook for those I love. It has pushed me to learn, to grow, and to try things I never knew I wanted to do. (Who knew I would ever be interested in canning?!?) It was the push that I needed to become the version of me that I was meant to be.
Do you know what I miss most about gluten, though? Nope, not beer (although I DO miss that...a lot). Nope, not really good chewy pizza (mmmmmmm). Nope, not baguettes (a good baguette and a nice Brie...oh, how I loved that combination...). What I miss most is the ease of it all. I loved being a person that would try anything. I loved traveling knowing that nothing was off-limits. I loved just being able to eat without dissecting and analyzing everything placed before me.
You know what, though? In the year since my diagnosis, I have never knowingly cheated. When it comes down to it, it is not worth feeling bad--especially when there are so many wonderful gluten-free foods out there. Plus, how could I cheat when those who love me have done so much to make foods gluten-free for me? To cheat would be...I don't know...disrespectful to them. After all that they have done for me, that I cannot do. Those are the people that make this life a delicious one.
Now, what's for dinner?
Cheers,
Krista
